The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Deux

[kingpin007]

Police disrupt Wollongong-based drug syndicate

14th march 2009

Police believe they have identified and disrupted a highly organised drug syndicate in the Wollongong area, south of Sydney.

Police yesterday stopped a car in Dapto and arrested three men.

A 32-year-old man and a 36-year-old man were interviewed and charged with three counts of supplying of a prohibited drug.

A 34-year-old man was charged with proceeds of crime.

Police then searched four homes at Figtree, Warrawong and Cringila and found cash, mobile phones, documents and drug equipment.

Police say the arrests come after an extensive covert operation.

They say detectives have disrupted the supply of over $10,000 worth of the drug ice in the Illawarra each week, since a task force was set up in August last year.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/14/2516237.htm

 

[kingpin007]

Three men arrested over alleged methylamphetamine syndicate – MEOCS

Saturday, 14 Mar 2009 05:38am

Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad detectives, attached to the NSW State Crime Command, have arrested three men following investigations into an alleged methylamphetamine syndicate.

Strike Force Castlerock was established by detectives in August last year, to investigate the alleged supply of methylamphetamine in the Illawarra region.

Following an extensive covert operation, police stopped a brown Ford Falcon sedan on Emerson Road, Dapto about 4pm yesterday.

The three occupants of the vehicle, all men aged 36, 34 and 32, were arrested at the scene. The 36 and 34-year-old men were taken to Port Kembla Police Station, while the 32-year-old man was taken to Wollongong Police Station.

The 36 and 32-year-old men were each charged with supply prohibited drug, ongoing supply of prohibited drug and conspiracy to supply prohibited drug, while the 36-year-old man was also charged with proceeds of crime.

Both men have been refused bail and will appear at Wollongong Bail Court today.

The 34-year-old man was charged with proceeds of crime and has been granted conditional bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court on 14 April 2008.

Following the arrests, detectives conducted four separate search warrants at homes at O’Briens Road, Figtree, Minnegan Street, Warrawong, McGovern Street, Cringila, and Cowper Street, Warrawong.

During the searches detectives located and seized a sum of cash, a number of mobile phones, an ATM card, documents, a small amount of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.

Middle Eastern Organised Crime Commander, Superintendent Deb Wallace said, “The organised supply of prohibited drugs is a crime, and is taken very seriously by the NSW Police Force.

“Detectives under Strike Force Castlerock have identified and disrupted what can only be described as a highly organised drug syndicate.

“Strike Force detectives have disrupted the supply of over $10,000 of methylamphetamine to the community each week.

“Detectives will continue to investigate all reports of organised illegal drug offences in an effort to ensure the community is kept safe,” Superintendent Wallace said.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjU0ODYuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[kingpin007]

Five people arrested over alleged drug supply network

* March 15, 2009 - 10:27AM

NSW police have uncovered chemicals, drug recipes and cash in raids across the state, arresting five people allegedly involved in an illicit drug supply network.

Police searched several homes in Dubbo, in central NSW, and one in Glossodia, in Sydney's northwest on Saturday night.

Drug recipes, chemicals, prohibited drugs, cash and drug paraphernalia were found, police said.

A 50-year-old Glossodia man was arrested in Dubbo and charged with four counts of supply an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug, possess an unregistered firearm, and not keep a firearm safely.

Another two men and two women were also arrested in Dubbo.

A 37-year-old man faces 19 charges, including 11 of supply a prohibited drug.

A 34-year-old woman was charged with five counts of supply a prohibited drug, and one count of supply a prohibited drug on an on-going basis.

A 33-year-old man was charged with two counts of supply a prohibited drug, while a 40-year-old woman was charged with possess a prohibited drug and firearms offences.

All five are due to appear in Dubbo Local Court on Monday.

The arrests were made as part of Strike Force Hebbard's investigations into the alleged drug network.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/five...lleged-drug-supply-network-20090315-8yne.html

 

[kingpin007]

SkyCity defends itself in wake of drug bust

Published: 7:33PM Saturday March 14, 2009

SkyCity has been criticised by a senior judge after a drug ring used its VIP gaming lounge as part of its multi-million operation, but the casino company defended its systems for detecting illegal activities.

Drug gang ringleader Ro Tong Zhou, 41, was jailed for 15 years in the High Court in Auckland yesterday on more than 30 methamphetamine drugs charges.

He used SkyCity Casino's VIP lounge to run the operation, which included the supply of more than $3 million worth of P in two months.

SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison said the Zhao case happened over two years ago, and SkyCity was one of a number of venues named.
Advertisement

"At all times we fully co-operate with the police, other authorities and regulators, and willingly assist with all of their legal enquiries and investigations," he says.

"Our state of the art surveillance, anti-money laundering reporting and tracking systems are often used by the police and other authorities to assist in the detection of unlawful actions or behaviour."

In court, Judge Rhys Harrison heavily criticised SkyCity for the way it had been used by the drug dealers, and said anti-gambling lobbyists had warned the casino could become a "scene for large-scale criminal activity".

The court was told Zhou ran a sophisticated distribution network, often using the VIP lounge at SkyCity as a hub to discuss buying and selling methamphetamine. Money and drugs even changed hands in the basement carpark.

The judge said Zhou used both the VIP lounge and the carpark as his office, and he ordered his sentencing notes be sent to Mr Morrison, the newspaper reported.

During the police drug operation, 13 people were arrested and millions of dollars worth of P and cash seized from the drug ring, run by an Asian organised crime ring headed by a mystery man nicknamed Xiao Pang in China.

The inquiry uncovered criminals involved in the supply and distribution of methamphetamine, particularly in Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

The court was told drug money was gambled in a money-laundering operation.

In August 2007 a ONE News investigation found a VIP gambler running a money lending business on the side at Auckland's Sky City casino.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/skycity-defends-itself-in-wake-drug-bust-2543055

 

[hoptis]

Austrian woman charged with drug importation
March 14, 2009 - 7:22PM

An Austrian woman who allegedly carried chocolate bars containing methamphetamine into Australia has been charged with drug offences.

The 31-year-old was intercepted at Melbourne Airport following a flight from Bangkok on Tuesday.

Customs officers say they found chocolate bars concealing powder known as the drug 'ice' in her handbag, and a plastic bag containing a white crystalline substance.

Australian Federal Police have charged the woman with possessing and importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

They say the woman was allegedly in possession of 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.

She's been remanded in custody to appear in the Melbourne Magistrate's Court on June 5.

The Age

 

[kingpin007]

Third man arrested over alleged eastern suburbs drug dealing operation
Monday, 16 Mar 2009 04:46pm



Police have arrested a third man over an alleged drug distribution operation in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

In August last year, the Central Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad (R.E.S.), based at Redfern; and detectives from the Rose Bay Local Area Command formed Strike Force Connell, a covert investigation into the supply of illegal drugs in Sydney’s east.

On 25 February this year, following a controlled operation targeting cocaine distribution, R.E.S. officers executed a search warrant at a home unit in Enmore Road, Newtown.

At 12.40pm today, a 48-year-old Newtown man attended the Redfern Police Station where he was placed under arrest.

He was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug.

Police refused the man bail and ordered him to appear in Central Local Court tomorrow.

Two other men are already facing charges over the alleged drug operation.

A 36-year-old Paddington man appeared in court twice last month, charged with a series of drug supply and goods in custody offences.

His arrest followed the alleged discovery of $2m in cocaine and $1.3m dollars in cash during a police raid at Darling Point on Friday 27 February.

A 32-year-old Mascot man was apprehended on 25 February and charged with possess prohibited drug.

He was conditionally bailed to appear in the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday (18 March).

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjU1MTguaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[hoptis]

$500,000 worth of cannabis seized in Kings Park drug raid
Article from: Herald Sun
Staff reporters
March 19, 2009 12:38pm

ONE hundred and eighty cannabis plants with a street value of more than $500,000 have been seized during a police raid in Kings Park.
The morning raid by the Altona North Regional Response Unit also netted a high-tech hydroponics set up in the Kingdom Ace house.

Following the raid police arrested a 32-year-old Malaysian man who is expected to be charged with cultivating a drug of dependence and trafficking a drug of dependence.

The raid was part of Operation Plexel, a major western suburbs drug operations, which has so far seen 35 people arrested.

Since September last year investigators have so far seized more than 2870 cannabis plants with a street values of more than $8.1 as well as cash, hydroponic equipment, 32kg of cultivated cannabis and more than $1 million in assets.

Herald Sun

 

[hoptis]

Heroin seized, four arrested in raids
March 20, 2009 - 8:00PM

More than 700 grams of heroin has been seized and four people arrested in drug raids in Melbourne's west, police say.

Police raided two houses, in Footscray and St Albans and allegedly seized cash and 706 grams of heroin in total, 671 grams at the St Albans property alone, a Victoria Police spokesman said.

Two men aged 48 and 39 and two women aged 50 and 22, all from Footscray, were arrested.

The two men and the older woman were charged with possessing equipment used for drug trafficking, possessing proceeds of crime and trafficking a commercial quantity of heroin.

The younger woman will be charged on summons with money laundering.

AAP

The Age

 

[kingpin007]

Police 'drug bust' during firearm check

* Reko Rennie
* March 19, 2009

Police doing a firearm check got more than they bargained for when a man asked if they could "come back later" before they allegedly discovered hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of amphetamines in his house.

Officers went to a house in Pratt Street, Frankston South, about 5pm yesterday with a firearms warrant after a firearm was reportedly produced during a domestic argument.

When police entered the house to check for the firearm, they allegedly found several plastic bags of amphetamines valued at several hundred thousand dollars.

No firearm was located during the search, but a small quantity of ammunition was found.

Police have charged a 30-year-old man with trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs, possessing a large quantity of drugs, possessing drugs, and possessing ammunition.

The man has been remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court later today.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/police-drug-bust-during-firearm-check-20090319-92he.html

 

[kingpin007]

Big drug bust in Adelaide car

March 23, 2009 01:07pm

A DRUG bust in Alice Springs has netted almost 2000 ecstasy tablets and more than 800 grams of cannabis inside a car travelling from Adelaide.

Four men were arrested after police pulled over a Holden Commodore on the South Stuart Highway on Friday night.

Inside the car they allegedly discovered 857.9 grams of cannabis and 1667 Ecstasy tablets.

Police said the estimated street value of the drugs was about $130,000.

They believe the drugs were being transported from Adelaide to the desert town.

Four men have been charged with possessing and supplying a commercial quantity of cannabis and possessing and supplying a commercial quantity of a Schedule 2 substance.

Three of the men - aged 20, 20 and 21 - have been remanded in custody to appear in the Alice Springs Magistrates Court on Monday.

A 20-year-old man has been bailed to appear in the Alice Springs Magistrates Court on April 14.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25228569-911,00.html

 

[mushi mushi 88]

Well it seems the police have been getting lucky with the last two 'busts' they have pretty much just been falling into there laps for them lol.

Give yourselves a pat on the back the boys in blue lol.

 

[hoptis]

Baby found in alleged heroin house
AAP
March 24, 2009 06:00pm

AN eight-month-old baby boy has been discovered in an alleged heroin house during a police raid.

The baby was taken into the care of the Department of Community Services (DoCS) after shocked police discovered he was living in the Pedrick Place home in Dundas, in western Sydney.

Police raided the home at 10.40am (AEDT) today as part of a long-running covert investigation into the local supply of heroin.

Two women, aged 45 and 21, and a 50 year-old man, were arrested at the scene and later charged with a range of drug offences, including drug supply and operating a drug premises, and exposing a child to a drugs premises.

All three were refused bail to appear in Sydney courts tomorrow.

A 10-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy living at the Dundas address, but at school at the time of the raid, have also been placed in the care of DoCS.

News.com.au

 

[kingpin007]

NEWS : 25.3.09 - Club Deroes Bikies charged after drug raids in Kalgoorlie, Perth

Bikies charged after drug raids in Kalgoorlie, Perth

March 25, 2009 11:00am

POLICE have charged 14 people, including two bikie gang members, following a series of raids on properties in Kalgoorlie and Perth yesterday.

The raids were the result of an major drug investigation which began after 2.9kg of amphetamine was allegedly discovered in a car stopped by Eucla police earlier this month.

Two men were charged over the find which sparked an investigation to identify the source of drugs.

Police said the inquiry linked the drugs to associates of Club Deroes motorcycle gang who were targeted in yesterday's raids.

Police yesterday searched 12 houses and a business in Kalgoorlie and the gang's Perth clubhouse in Cloverdale.

The raids continued today with search warrants executed on more houses in Kambalda, 50km from Kalgoorlie.

It will be alleged police yesterday seized about 84 grams ecstasy and about 28 grams of amphetamine, along with nearly $17,000 in cash, prohibited weapons and stolen property.

Police charged 14 people with a number of serious drug offences and seized assets worth $500,000 under proceeds of crime laws, including Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Foley denied that Kalgoorlie was being used as a hub to transport drugs into WA.

``It (the drug trade in Kalgoorlie) is probably no different to anywhere else....but we're exposing the involvement of a group of people in it now,'' he said.

``Whether it's trucks, cars, trains, planes or whatever, it just keeps coming.

``How it comes, well they'll do anything to get the gear here undetected, and they'll use any means of transport to do it.

``All our drug investigations are ongoing and obviously drug investigations are intelligence driven. If we get information we'll act upon it.''

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,27574,25240055-2761,00.html

Atleast they not shooting up houses ...

 

[kingpin007]

30.3.09

'Bikie' arrested over major drug haul

A 45-year-old man allegedly linked to an outlaw motorcycle gang has been arrested over a $300,000 drug haul found near Katherine, in the Northern Territory.

Police pulled over a car towing a caravan yesterday afternoon and, with the help of drug dogs, allegedly found 5.8 kilograms of cannabis.

Police say the bust was part of an operation cracking down on organised crime groups believed to be moving illegal drugs into the Northern Territory.

Authorities believe the arrested man is part of an outlawed bikie gang.

He has been refused bail and will face drug related charges in the Katherine Court tomorrow.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/30/2529873.htm?section=justin

 

[kingpin007]

Asian Crime Squad detectives arrest, charge two men and woman following drugs investigation
Monday, 30 Mar 2009 03:21pm

Police investigating the interstate trafficking of heroin have arrested and charged two men and a woman in Sydney.

About 3pm yesterday (Sunday 29 March), detectives from State Crime Command’s Asian Crime Squad arrested a 34-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man near Sydney airport.

During a search of their vehicle, police allegedly located heroin with an approximate street value of $130,000.

The pair was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and participating in a criminal group.

They’ve both been refused bail to appear in Waverley Local Court today.

Meanwhile, a 26-year-old man was arrested after police executed a search warrant at a house in Phillip Avenue, Cabramatta, about 8.50pm yesterday.

Police allegedly seized a loaded pistol and quantities of heroin, ecstasy and ‘Ice’. Other drug paraphernalia was also located and seized.

The man was taken to Cabramatta Police Station and charged with taking part in the supply of a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug; possessing a prohibited drug; and possessing an unregistered firearm.

He’s been held in custody and is due to appear in Fairfield Local Court today.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjU2ODguaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[kingpin007]

17 arrests during 48-hour high-visibility “Operation Mega Daylight” – Blue Mountains
Monday, 30 Mar 2009 05:45am

Police have arrested 17 people and laid 35 charges during a two-day high-visibility policing operation in the Blue Mountains region.

“Operation Mega Daylight” was conducted within the Blue Mountains Local Area Command and concluded yesterday morning (Sunday 29 March).

The operation involved more than 100 police from the North West Metropolitan and Western policing regions - taking in five local area commands - and specialist officers, including local detectives, Rural Crime Investigators, the Dog Unit and Highway Patrol. RTA heavy vehicle inspectors also assisted in the operation.

The aim of Operation Mega Daylight was to provide a high visibility policing response and enforcement in a bid to dramatically reduce speed and alcohol-related crashes, whilst also targeting heavy vehicles, rural crimes and drug couriers.

Six people were charged with either possessing or supplying prohibited drugs.

The operation also focussed on serial disqualified drivers.

During the 48-hour campaign, 10 information reports were collected - seven of those related to Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) activity.

Operation Mega Daylight Commander, Superintendent Tony McWhirter, said the operation was successful and similar operations would be conducted in the future.

“520 heavy vehicles were stopped and their drivers spoken to,” Superintendent McWhirter said. “18 defective vehicles were taken off the road, which is important as we head towards the school holidays and people begin to plan their break.”

One motorist stopped by police during the operation was detected travelling at 153kmh in a 60kmh zone.

He was also charged with drink-driving after a breath analysis returned a reading of 0.146.

The 30-year-old Blackheath man was one of seven motorists charged with drink-driving after 3,513 random breath tests were conducted by police.

He is due to appear in Katoomba Local Court on 22 April 2009.

125 other traffic infringement notices were issued by police.

“When we pull someone over during an operation like this, we are not out to ruin their day,” Superintendent McWhirter said. “We are in the business of saving lives and preventing crashes.”

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjU2ODMuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[kingpin007]

NEWS : 31.3.03 - Sniffer drugs catch 13 people for drugs in South-East pubs

Sniffer drugs catch 13 people for drugs in South-East pubs

March 31, 2009 10:55am

DRUG sniffer dogs detected 13 people allegedly in possession of cannabis, ecstasy or amphetamine in a police blitz at licensed premises in the South-East at the weekend.

All were issued with expiation notices. Another 17 people were singled out by dogs, but were found not to be in possession of illicit drugs.

Police said these people had admitted to being in recent contact with illicit drugs.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,27574,25268568-2682,00.html

 

[kingpin007]

Alleged gang link sniffed out in drug bust

REBEKAH CAVANAGH

March 31st, 2009

DRUG HAUL: Det-Supt Peter Bravos with 5.8kg of high-grade cannabis they allegedly found hidden under the bed of the caravan near Katherine on Sunday.

A VICTORIAN outlaw motorcycle gang member has been caught allegedly running more than $300,000 worth of drugs into the Territory.

Police said they found the 5.8kg haul of high-grade cannabis hidden under the bed of the caravan the 45-year-old bikie was towing up the Stuart Highway when they stopped him near Katherine on Sunday.

The hydroponically-grown stash was stored in 13 fluoro-coloured plastic shopping bags.

Police said they believe the drugs were destined for Darwin streets.

The bust was part of the NT police's Operation Wodalla, which was established two months ago in order to investigate the activities of members and associates of an organised crime groups in the movement of bulk quantities of cannabis into the NT.

Members of the Drug Enforcement Section, Katherine general duties officers and the Katherine Dog Operations Unit conducted a road block near Katherine on Sunday following a tip-off and intelligence gathered that drugs were being transported to Darwin.

The bikie was pulled over in his white Toyota LandCruiser with Victorian registration, towing a caravan, at about 3.15pm and police said Drug Dog Leo sniffed out the cannabis.

He was charged with possessing and supplying a commercial quantity of cannabis and was remanded in custody to appear in the Katherine Court today.

Detective Superintendent Peter Bravos would not say which bikie gang the man was allegedly with.

He said there had been an increase in the number of people from interstate, including bikies, trying to traffick and sell drugs in the NT.

"Over recent months we've apprehended people from most southern states," he said.

"I guess they are an organised crime group who are looking at ways to expand their business and they see a strong market here."

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/03/31/42245_ntnews.html

 

[mushi mushi 88]

I tell you what he's a brave man releasing his name in the press for all to see and take note of... Especially informing everyone what area he works in, it wouldn't take much for somebody to follow him home one evening.

 

[kingpin007]

Drug, assault arrests in Northbridge police blitz

Jon Bassett

April 04, 2009 07:00am

POLICE were offered drugs and a club bouncer was among 36 arrested during the on-going Operation Nightsafe in Northbridge overnight.
The operation is the police's no-tolerance approach to the entertainment precinct's often violent, alchohol-fuelled streets at night.

``We had more people out in plain clothes and as a result we've managed to detect crimes earlier,'' operation co-ordinator Snr Sgt Cameron Taylor said.

The attempt to sell prescription drugs to police was allegedly made by two men in their 20s in the Cultural Centre at the east end of James St at 10pm.

The men were arrested, later released before an investigation continued.

The Black Betty club bouncer was arrested for suspicion of assault occasioning bodily harm outside the Aberdeen-Parker streets' club about 11.50pm.

He allegedly assaulted a British tourist on the pavement after an altercation inside the venue, previously called The Post Office.

The tourist was treated by John Ambulance paramedics for a cut to the head and he was taken to RPH for observation.

Police were also called to the Rosemount Hotel, Fitzgerald St, North Perth, about 2.30am after six men were seen kicking two others on the ground.

One man was arrested and taken to Wembley Police Station for questioning.

About midnight, two men aged in their 20s were arrested at The Shed in Aberdeen St for alleged assault and obstructing police when they were thrown out of the bar.

Two men in their 20s were arrested for suspicion of robbery after a mobile phone was stolen from five tourists in Forrest Place at 11pm.

Other arrests during the night were for assaulting police and there were numerous summonses for disorderly conduct, agressive behaviour and drunkeness.

``Eighty per cent of the arrests were when people were intoxicated,'' Snr Sgt Taylor said.

``It was another typical night.''

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,27574,25287976-2761,00.html